Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan, not a Cubs supporter, says his brother
Despite his Chicago roots and a family divided between Cubs and Cardinals fandom, pope Leo XIV’s brother confirms his loyalty lies with the South Side’s White Sox.
As newly elected pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert Francis Prevost—prepares to lead over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, another question has captured public curiosity: where do his baseball loyalties lie? Born and raised in Chicago, Prevost’s hometown is famously split between Cubs and White Sox fans.
While early speculation suggested he might be a Cubs supporter, thanks to his upbringing and his mother’s love for the North Side team, his brother, John Prevost, clarified that the new pope has long backed the White Sox. “He was never a Cubs fan,” John told WGN-TV, putting an end to the debate.
A family divided, but the pope chose the South Side
The question of which team pope Leo XIV supports quickly became a trending topic after his election. NBC Chicago initially echoed assumptions that the Pope was aligned with the Cubs, a claim swiftly debunked by his brother. The truth, John Prevost said, is that the future pope grew up a Sox fan in a household where loyalties were split—his mother supported the Cubs, and his father followed the St. Louis Cardinals.
In response, the Chicago White Sox proudly claimed the pope as one of their own, stating they had already sent him a team jersey and cap. “There are more important things than baseball,” said a team spokesperson, “but in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan in the Vatican.”
ALSO SEE: Why did Pope Leo XIV choose that name? The meaning behind Robert Francis Prevost’s papal title
Sports and faith in pope Leo XIV’s life
Though pope Leo XIV spent decades of his ministry in Peru, his Chicago roots and interest in sports have remained. He is a graduate of Villanova University, and in 2016, he retweeted a post celebrating the school's NCAA men’s basketball championship. In a 2023 interview, he described himself as a “pretty amateur tennis player” and expressed his desire to return to the court.
His new role as the head of the Catholic Church will likely leave little time for sports, but fans and faithful alike now know a bit more about the man behind the papal title—one whose love for the White Sox stands firm amid his global responsibilities.
